10727767

Packet-Based Networking of Variable Frequency Drives

PublishedJuly 28, 2020
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
24 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method of controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), each VFD configured to generate a Pulse Wdth Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, characterized by: for each controlled VFD, calculating a plurality of drive signals to switch a plurality of power transistors in the VFD for a first time interval, to generate a desired PWM signal; and wirelessly transmitting, in advance of the first time interval, the plurality of drive signals to respective VFDs in at least a main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transmitting a plurality of drive signals comprises transmitting a plurality of drive signals in a plurality of successive time intervals including the first time interval, wherein the drive signals transmitted in one of the successive time intervals is effective for the next time interval.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. This wireless transmission involves sending drive signals for a plurality of successive time intervals, including the first time interval. The drive signals transmitted in one of these successive time intervals are specifically effective for controlling the VFD during the immediately following time interval.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. The drive signals themselves specify separate indications to switch each individual power transistor in the VFD either on or off, and they also precisely indicate the timing for these switching operations.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the drive signals further comprise an indication to switch a braking transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. These drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. Furthermore, these drive signals additionally include specific instructions for switching a braking transistor on or off, and they also indicate the precise timing of this braking transistor's switching action.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the timing of each transistor switching signal is an offset from the beginning of the next time interval.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. These drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. Specifically, the timing for each transistor switching signal is represented as an offset from the beginning of the next time interval during which the VFD will execute these commands.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising: in one or more of the time intervals, additionally transmitting commands or parameter values to one or more VFDs in an auxiliary DL frame of the transmission packet.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. These drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. Furthermore, in one or more of these time intervals, the system can additionally transmit commands or parameter values to one or more VFDs. These additional transmissions occur within an auxiliary downlink (DL) frame of the transmission packet, separate from the main drive signals.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: transmitting a command in an auxiliary DL frame for the VFD to run autonomously; and ceasing the transmission of drive signals in a main DL frame to the autonomous VFD.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. These drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. In one or more of the time intervals, the system additionally transmits commands or parameter values to one or more VFDs in an auxiliary DL frame of the transmission packet. A specific command can be transmitted in such an auxiliary DL frame instructing a VFD to run autonomously; upon sending this command, the remote controller then ceases the transmission of drive signals in the main DL frame to that now autonomous VFD.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: transmitting a command in an auxiliary DL frame for the VFD to be controlled; and resuming the transmission of drive signals in a main DL frame to the autonomous VFD.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. These drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. In one or more of the time intervals, the system additionally transmits commands or parameter values to one or more VFDs in an auxiliary DL frame of the transmission packet. A command can be transmitted in an auxiliary DL frame for the VFD to run autonomously, after which the transmission of main DL frame drive signals to the autonomous VFD ceases. Furthermore, the method allows for transmitting another command in an auxiliary DL frame for the VFD to again be controlled remotely, subsequently resuming the transmission of drive signals in a main DL frame to that VFD.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 3 further comprising: in one or more of the time intervals, receiving from one or more VFDs feedback about the VFD or motor state in a main uplink (UL) frame of a received packet.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. These drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. Additionally, in one or more of the time intervals, the system receives feedback from one or more VFDs about their internal state or the motor's state. This feedback is communicated back to the controller within a main uplink (UL) frame of a packet received from the VFD.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the same drive signals, commands, or parameter values are broadcast to two or more controlled VFDs.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. In this method, the same set of drive signals, or commands, or parameter values can be broadcast to two or more controlled VFDs simultaneously.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the drive signals, commands, or parameter values are transmitted individually to each controlled VFD.

Plain English Translation

A method for centrally controlling one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. For each VFD, the system calculates the specific drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a future time interval to produce the desired PWM motor signal. These calculated drive signals are then wirelessly sent to the respective VFDs in advance of that time interval, packaged within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet. In this method, the drive signals, commands, or parameter values are transmitted individually and distinctly to each controlled VFD.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A controller configured to control one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), each VFD configured to generate a Pulse Wdth Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, the controller comprising: a processor operatively connected to the wireless transceiver, and configured to: for each controlled VFD, calculate a plurality of drive signals to switch a plurality of power transistors in the VFD for a time interval, to generate a desired PWM signal; and wirelessly transmit the plurality of drive signals, to each controlled VFD, in advance of the time interval in which they are to be applied, in at least a main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet.

Plain English Translation

A network-connected controller designed to manage one or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), each responsible for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor. This controller includes a processor connected to a wireless transceiver. The processor is configured to calculate, for each VFD it controls, the precise drive signals needed to switch its power transistors during a specific future time interval to generate the desired PWM motor signal. Once calculated, the processor wirelessly transmits these drive signals to each controlled VFD in advance of the time interval when they are to be applied, sending them within at least the main downlink (DL) frame of a transmission packet.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. A method of generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) controlled by a remote controller, comprising: wirelessly receiving from the controller, in a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet, a plurality of drive signals for a time interval; and in a subsequent time interval, switching a plurality of power transistors, according to the received drive signals, to generate the PWM signal.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to control a motor using a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is remotely operated by a wireless controller. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently transmitting and executing motor control commands in real-time wireless communication systems. The VFD receives a packet containing a main downlink (DL) frame from the remote controller, which includes multiple drive signals for a specific time interval. These drive signals are used to control the switching of multiple power transistors in the VFD during a subsequent time interval, thereby generating the PWM signal that drives the motor. The method ensures precise motor control by synchronizing the transmission of drive signals with the execution of PWM modulation, minimizing latency and improving responsiveness in wirelessly controlled motor systems. The approach leverages wireless communication to transmit control commands while maintaining the accuracy and timing required for motor operation.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method of claim 13 wherein wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals comprises receiving the plurality of drive signals in each successive time interval, and wherein a subsequent time interval comprises the next time interval.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. This wireless reception process involves receiving drive signals in each successive time interval, and the "subsequent time interval" in which the VFD acts upon these signals is specifically the next time interval immediately following their reception.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the drive signals comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. The drive signals received by the VFD comprise separate indications to switch each individual power transistor on or off, and they also explicitly indicate the precise timing for each of these switching operations.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the drive signals further comprise an indication to switch a braking transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. The drive signals received by the VFD comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. Additionally, these received drive signals further include an indication to switch a braking transistor on or off, and they also specify the precise timing of that braking transistor's switching.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the timing of each transistor switching signal is an offset from the beginning of the next time interval.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. The drive signals received by the VFD comprise separate indications to switch each power transistor on or off, and also indicate the timing of the switching. The timing of each transistor switching signal is specifically provided as an offset from the beginning of the next time interval in which the switching is to occur.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising: in one or more of the time intervals, additionally receiving commands or parameter values in an auxiliary DL frame of the received packet.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. Furthermore, in one or more of these time intervals, the VFD also receives additional commands or parameter values from the controller, which are transmitted in an auxiliary downlink (DL) frame of the received packet.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: receiving a command in an auxiliary DL frame to run autonomously; and generating drive signals to switch the transistors.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. In one or more of these time intervals, the VFD additionally receives commands or parameter values in an auxiliary DL frame of the received packet. If the VFD receives a specific command in an auxiliary DL frame to run autonomously, it will then generate its own drive signals internally to switch its transistors, rather than relying on signals from the remote controller.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: receiving a command in an auxiliary DL frame to again be controlled; and resuming switching the transistors according to drive signals received in each time interval from the controller.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. In one or more of these time intervals, the VFD additionally receives commands or parameter values in an auxiliary DL frame of the received packet. If the VFD receives a command in an auxiliary DL frame to run autonomously, it generates drive signals to switch the transistors itself. Furthermore, if the VFD then receives another command in an auxiliary DL frame to again be controlled remotely, it resumes switching its transistors according to the drive signals received in each successive time interval from the controller.

Claim 21

Original Legal Text

21. The method of claim 13 further comprising: in one or more of the time intervals, wirelessly transmitting to the controller feedback about the VFD or motor state in a main uplink (UL) frame of a transmitted packet.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. Additionally, in one or more of these time intervals, the VFD wirelessly transmits feedback information to the controller about its own state or the state of the motor. This feedback is sent within a main uplink (UL) frame of a packet transmitted by the VFD.

Claim 22

Original Legal Text

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the feedback includes one or more of instantaneous motor speed, instantaneous motor current, power transistor temperature, motor rotor temperature, DC bus voltage, and an indication for the controller to calculate motor speed from current and voltage.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. In one or more of the time intervals, the VFD wirelessly transmits feedback about its state or the motor's state to the controller in a main uplink (UL) frame of a transmitted packet. This feedback specifically includes one or more of the following: instantaneous motor speed, instantaneous motor current, power transistor temperature, motor rotor temperature, DC bus voltage, and/or an indication for the controller to calculate motor speed based on current and voltage readings.

Claim 23

Original Legal Text

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising: in one or more of the time intervals, wirelessly transmitting to the controller the value of one or more parameters in an auxiliary uplink (UL) frame of a transmitted packet.

Plain English Translation

A method for generating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, specifically performed by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that is controlled by a remote controller. This method involves the VFD wirelessly receiving a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval. These drive signals arrive within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. In a subsequent time interval, immediately following the reception, the VFD then uses these received drive signals to precisely switch its plurality of internal power transistors, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to drive the motor. In one or more of the time intervals, the VFD wirelessly transmits feedback about its state or the motor's state to the controller in a main uplink (UL) frame of a transmitted packet. Furthermore, in one or more of these time intervals, the VFD can also wirelessly transmit the value of one or more parameters to the controller within an auxiliary uplink (UL) frame of a transmitted packet.

Claim 24

Original Legal Text

24. A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) configured to generate a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to drive a motor, controlled by a remote controller, said VFD comprising: a transceiver; and a processor operatively connected to the wireless transceiver, and configured to: wirelessly receive from the controller, in a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet, a plurality of drive signals for a time interval; and in a subsequent time interval, switch a plurality of power transistors, according to the received drive signals, to generate the PWM signal.

Plain English Translation

A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) apparatus configured to generate a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal for driving a motor, and specifically designed to be controlled by a remote controller. This VFD comprises a transceiver and a processor connected to the transceiver. The processor is configured to wirelessly receive a plurality of drive signals from the remote controller for a specific time interval, with these signals arriving within a main downlink (DL) frame of a received packet. Subsequently, in the next time interval, the processor then controls the switching of a plurality of internal power transistors within the VFD according to these received drive signals, thereby generating the desired PWM signal to power the motor.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

July 28, 2020

Inventors

Michael Reda Samuel
Sami Boutros

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